How to Prepare and Paint a Wood Stove

There is a lot more technique and preparation involved in painting a wood stove or fireplace with high temp paint than just spraying on the paint and calling it good. Because of the high temperatures involved, are specifically formulated to applied in particular ways.

Before you even begin to consider touching up the paint job on your wood stove, fireplace or other high temp appliance, you should check with your appliance manufacturer and make sure that the high temp paint brand is compatible for use with your appliance.

There are three basic steps that should be followed when using a high temp paint to paint or touch up your wood stove, fireplace, fireplace insert or other high temperature appliance.

1. Prepare the Surface

2. Apply the Stove Paint

3. Cure the High Temp Paint

Step 1 - Preparing the Appliance Surface for High Temp Paint

The first and most crucial step to painting your wood stove or fireplace is surface preparation. Check the appliance for any rust, peeling or blistering. Stove paint will only adhere as well as whatever is already on the stove so all rust and all coating that is peeling or blistering will need to be removed before applying the paint. Rust can be removed from the stove or fireplace by sandblasting, sanding or grinding. Also, be sure to check the wood stove, fireplace or which ever high temperature appliance you are preparing to paint for grease, oil, dirt or any other contaminant that might prevent the stove paint from adhering to the metal of the appliance. Stove bright Paint Prep is a great choice to remove all grease, fingerprints, oil and dirt. Stove Bright Paint Prep and Cleaner is a solvent degreaser that cuts oil and grease quickly to help prepare the surface of your wood stove or fireplace prior to painting.

Before painting your wood stove or fireplace with high temp paint you should also tape off any glass, handles or anything else that you don't want to accidentally get paint on.

**Remember**

Extra effort in surface preparation will lead to the best chance for a durable, beautiful finish.

Never use household products like formula 409 or a "tack cloth" to clean the surface of your wood stove or fireplace. These products leave a residue that inhibits the adhesion qualities of high temp stove paint.

Step 2 - Applying the High Temp Paint

Now that you've prepared the surface of your wood stove or fireplace you're ready to paint. High temp paint application requires some care and technique to get the best results so be sure to follow application instructions carefully.

Before you apply high temp stove paint to your appliance keep the following tips in mind:

Shake the can for at least 2 minutes. This will ensure that the paint pigment, metallic and solvents are completely mixed for the best uniform finish when sprayed.

Best results are achieved when the paint, the surface of the stove and the air are temperatures are above 65 degrees and below 85 degrees. You can heat high temperature stove paint by running the paint can under hot water for 2 minutes but be careful not to overheat the paint and never expose it to an open flame.

Be sure the area is well-ventilated before applying the paint to your wood stove, fireplace, fireplace insert or other high temp appliance. Also, be sure that all open flames are extinguished and that you are wearing appropriate protection for high temp paint application.

Before applying high temp paint to your appliance, test it on a piece of cardboard to be sure that the paint is ready for use. The test spray will bring the well-shaken paint mixture to the tip ready for your first pass on the surface.

Applying two light coats will provide better results and a more even finish than applying one heavy coat of high temp paint to your fireplace or wood stove. Wait about 15 minutes in between the first and second light application of wood stove paint.

For best results, high temp paint should be sprayed at a distance of 12 to 18 inches away from the heating appliance.

To cure your high temperature paint after applying it to your fireplace, fireplace insert, wood stove or other high temp appliance, follow the steps below:

1. Build a small kindling fire to start.

2. Add fuel to build a medium size fire to bring the stove surface temperature to about 450 degrees.

3. Keep the medium size fire going in your wood stove or fireplace going for about an hour. For the second stage of curing, add fuel to the fire to make it a very hot fire (surface temperature above 600 degrees) and keep it at this level for about 45 minutes.

Keep in mind that during the second higher temperature burn phase there will be smoke and unpleasant odor. You can ventilate the room alleviate this effect with open windows and doors to provide airflow.

The smoke from the curing process is primarily carbon dioxide, and is therefore non-toxic but it can be uncomfortable to small children, elderly persons and those with breathing problems.

High temperature stove paint is available in an assortment of colors to complement any home